Ephesians

Paul spent three years in Ephesus, preaching Christ to Jews and Gentiles.
Located at the western edge of Asia Minor, it was a port city. with a rich heritage of wealth, philosophy and Roman law. It boasted a library containing some 12,000 scrolls.

It had a magnificent temple! dedicated to the goddess Artemis, (Diana) a goddess of fertility and love. Into this city absorbed with the worship of the deity of fertility, entered Paul proclaiming "they are not gods which are made with hands (Acts 19:26)
His message struck at the heart of Ephesus worship as well as Ephesus' economy, for people came from all over to this port city to honor Diana. Making images of Diana was lucrative business.

The conflict between Christ and Diana is an old one.
And still strikes at hearts today.
Not only of morality vs immorality.
Also the appeal to the immediate as opposed to the eternal, to the emotional as opposed to the spiritual, to the pleasures of life as opposed to salvation from sin.

At Ephesus the two sides faced each other in confrontation.

It still confronts us today.
The ever present challenge of choice: Diana or Jesus?
The falsehoods of Satan offering immediate pleasure or benefits at cost of morals and integrity
Or Jesus and His transforming message of salvation from sin.


EPHESUS VISITED

A few years ago I had the privilege of visiting Ephesus! A thriving sophisticated city in Paul's day. It was quite an elegant, luxurious city. Lots of baths, streets lined with oil lamps, running water from an elaborate system of aqueducts, and lots of art work, sculptures, painted pictures on walls, mosaic floors. Houses had many rooms around an open court in the center which often contained a fountain. Terraced houses built on the hills. Only about 20% has been excavated so far.

The real reward of visiting these "ruins" of an ancient great city, was sensing the reality of the place. The city's open town square area where Paul would have stood to preach, and where the people would have gathered to burn those books. The huge amphitheater where they dragged two of Paul's companions during their riot.
The hill where once stood one of the "seven wonders of the world" the temple of Diana (Artemis) overlooking the city. Just imagine all the people streaming down that hill chanting, "Great is Diana"
Quite a challenge for Paul to stand and preach in this city! It was definitely a pagan city, with more temples to gods besides the main one for Diana. It wasn't the most moral city.

A little ways apart from the main part of Ephesus is another house, (we did not go there, it's more of a Catholic shrine) but it supposedly was the house of John the apostle and Mary, the mother of Jesus, where they lived after Jerusalem was destroyed.

Paul comes to Ephesus and as usual, he first began teaching in the Jewish synagogue. And, as usual, some at the synagogue angrily refused to accept that Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah sent by God. So, after three months, Paul and those that believed moved to a public lecture hall (Hall of Tyrannus) where Paul continued teaching for more than two years.

Why were those Jewish men overcome by the demons? They spoke the name of Jesus, but regarded the name of the Savior of the world as only another incantation to be used to wield power.

Within these pagan occult religions which predominated in Ephesus, people seek after spiritual power and illumination from someone/something other than the true God. These Jews did not believe Jesus was the Son of God. They did not believe He offered salvation from sin. They lowered Christ to the same level as the spirits they wished to expel.

Paul taught the Gentiles about Jesus. He was entering the arena which the "prince of darkness" claimed as his.



In that time the very name "Ephesus" brought to mind what was then called "the magical arts". The magical arts were part of a variety of satanically-empowered, occult religions that draw upon demonic power to influence people. Ephesus was an "occult center" in Asia and perhaps in the Roman empire. This city was so identified with demonic, dark "magic" powers, that documents in the Ancient Near East containing spells, incantations or curses were called "Ephesian writings."

Paul makes it clear in this letter written to the Ephesians in chapter six that people are in a spiritual warfare for "we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."

Paul's letter is all about the Great Controversy, a battle between Christ and Satan. He is clearly outlining the winning team.

How much evidence in his letter to the Ephesians does Paul give, explaining the true greatness and power of our risen Savior.
What does Paul write which contains direct contrast between the god of this world, and the God of power, love, mercy?

Eph. 2:12 "without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world"

Without Christ there is no hope.
The forces of evil are too strong.
The demons have a strangle hold...

BUT

A wonderous, mighty power is available! The mightiest power ever unleashed on this earth was when God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Satan and all of his evil forces were aligned in full battle force when Jesus lay in the tomb. If he could have kept Jesus from rising from the dead, Satan would have been triumphant. But all his hosts could not keep Jesus in the grave. HE AROSE, Christ arose a victor over all evil, death and the grave! Satan is a defeated foe.
And so Paul writes with great eloquence, and praise, to make the point that God?s power in raising Jesus from the dead was the mightiest display of power ever known.

Eph. 1:18 I pray that the eyes of your understanding may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion.

His incomparably great power for us who believe.
His is not only great power, but incomparably great power.

Paul is not praying that God would give us this mighty power, but rather that the eyes of our understanding would be enlightened to know that this power is here for us, to work in us, to raise us up out of the deadly strangle hold of evil into newness of life, if we believe in Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2:1-6 we read -- we who were dead in our sins, God raises us up and seats us with Christ in the heavenly places. His point here is that the same power that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at God?s right hand is the power that raises us up from the deadly pits of evil unto newness of life in Him.
It is only in Christ -- through this incomparably great power that we are saved.

How would you compare it to what Simon Magnus was doing...

9 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:

10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.

11 And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.

12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.

14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:

15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:

16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,

19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.

22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.

24 Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.

Acts 8:9-24

How would Simon Magnus (Acts 9:9-24) compare with the exorcists and magicians and Artemus cult in Ephesus?

There are only two sources of supernatural power.
The two sides are defined as Christ with His angels vs the dragon with his angels.
The two sides are totally incompatible with each other. .

The pagan occult religions which predominated in Ephesus, sought after spiritual power and illumination from something/spiritualistic other than the true God. They were under the control of the prince of darkness. Simon Magnus was into the magical sorcery as well.

However, Jewish exorcists in Ephesus and Simon Magnus in Samaria realized God's power was far greater than the power they had drawn from before. They wanted that power for their own glory to receive selfish benefits, admiration for self, and ability to control others, not to advance God's glory for salvation.

The Ephesian pagans were "without God, without hope" in the kingdom of the prince of darkness.

The Jewish exorcists and Simon Magnus were committing "spiritual adultery" -- wanting a part in both kingdoms.
Wanting God's power to enhance their pagan condition and selfish status, but still remained in the kingdom of the prince of darkness.

Those who leave paganism and accept Christ are "born again" by the power of God into the kingdom of light (The kingdom of God). No longer slaves to the prince of darkness.

The letter to the Ephesians is all about what God, through Christ has done to offer them and us this wonderous gift of salvation, life, and the light of His glory, to lift us out of the kingdom of darkness, into His glorious kingdom of righteousness and life.

Read Ephesians 1:3-14

Paul is praising God for His wonderful gifts

"A thank you note usually includes a description of the gift or gifts received. Paul includes a long gift list in Ephesians 1:3-14 as he thanks God for the blessings of the gospel."



1. God blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ vs 3
It is your Creator who has poured out to you all heaven in one wondrous gift,--His only-begotten Son. . . . {CS46.2}

2.God chose us in Him before the foundation of the world

3. He has determined to adopt us as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself,

4 He made every provision for us to be holy and without blame before Him in love

5. He made us accepted in the Beloved--Jesus.

6. He gave redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins

7. He made grace to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence

8. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance


"The Holy Spirit, the representative of Himself, is the greatest of all gifts. All "good things" are comprised in this."LHU 107

God has opened the door to heaven wide, provided all we need to have eternal life with Him. It is His wish, pleasure and joy when we respond and accept all these awesome gifts and grow in grace characters reflecting His image.

Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also you believed, you were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
1:14 Which is the earnest (down payment) of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

Is there a difference between the final apocalyptic seal, and the Gospel seal that Paul assures us all Christians receive when they have committed their lives to Christ?

Yes, the apocalyptic seal is given only to those who have the gospel seal, it is a final protective seal, a seal of confirmation. The gospel seal is given when a person accepts Christ and is the initial declaration the person belongs to Christ and is growing by the power of the Holy Spirit as they live "in Christ".

While the two are not the same, the apocalyptic seal is totally dependent on the work of the Gospel of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit within the individuals life. Without the gospel seal, none will receive the apocalyptic seal!

There are three things to look at:
1. There is the process of sealing
2. There is Someone doing the sealing
3. There is the seal itself.

The Holy Spirit and the Sealing

The Holy Spirit's job is to sanctify us.
1 Peter 1:2 We are sanctified by the Spirit unto obedience
1 Peter 1:22 We are purified in obeying the truth, through the
Spirit in sincere love and pure heart.
2 Thess. 2:13 God chose us for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit
1 Thess. 4:7,8 God called us for cleanness and holiness, if we reject this
we reject not man, but God who has sent His Spirit.

How does the Spirit sanctify us?
John 14:17 He dwells within us if we ask in Christ's name
John 14:26 He will teach us all things
John 16:8 He will convict us of sin, of righteousness and judgment
John 16:13 The Spirit of truth will guide you into all truth: he will show you things to come.
John 16.14 He shall glorify Christ and help people know Him:
Romans 8:2 He frees us from law of sin and death
? that other law lodged in our flesh,
which wars against the God's law of righteousness-Romans 7:23)
Romans 8:5 He sets our minds on the things of God
Romans 8:13 Through the Spirit we put to death the deeds of the body
Romans 8:26 He helps us in our weaknesses
Romans 8:29 He conforms us to the image of God
1 Cor. 2:13,14 He teaches us spiritual things, helping us to discern spiritual things
2 Cor. 3:3 He writes God's ways on our hearts
Hebs. 8:10 He writes God's laws on our hearts
Hebs. 10:15-16 He puts God's laws into our hearts and minds
2 Cor. 3:18 He transforms us into the image of the Lord
as we behold as in a mirror the glory of Christ
Eph. 3:16 He strengthens us in the inner man
Eph. 3:17 He roots and grounds us in the love of Christ
Eph. 3:18 He helps us comprehend the breadth, length,
depth and height of the love of Christ which passes knowledge
that we might be filled with the fulness of God.
Eph. 5:9 He develops in us the fruit of the Spirit which is all
goodness, righteousness and truth

We are sealed by the Holy Spirit
Eph. 1:13 Having believed in Christ we are sealed with the Holy Spirit of Promise.
Eph. 4:25-30 So put away lying, anger, stealing, bad language
and do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God by whom you
are sealed for the day of Redemption.

The sealing process is done by Christ through the Holy Spirit and this process is the process of sanctification. The sealing process is being led into a life of obedience to God's laws by the Holy Spirit, and kept there by the Holy Spirit's power.

What happens if we resist the Holy Spirit and refuse to give up our sins?
If we refuse, we grieve Him away, and if He is shut out of our lives, there is no more forgiveness. (See Matt 12:33)
Eph. 4:30 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption

In the end, those who submitted to the Holy Spirit's leading, and made Christ there focus and all in all, will be sealed in a special way to carry them through the great time of trouble. And their keeping of all of God's law, especially the one that connects them in a loving relationship with the Creator, will be a sign to the whole universe that they are God's children.

Hebrews 13:20 Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Paul is emphasizing the mighty power of God which raised Christ from the dead is available and can raise people from spiritual deadness unto spiritual life; a power that transforms Christ's trusting, obedient followers into new creatures of righteousness!

Last quarter we studied about a world worshipping at the wrong shrine, and the call to come out of Babylon. Most Christians wrongly assume that this false worship which will be imposed will be a religious form readily distinguished from Christianity.

May we suggest that this false worship will have many appealing good things, but is based in a large measure on forgetting the Power of God.
We see in the world today a huge assault on Christian morals. Christians lament the moral and spiritual decline of the nation and blame it all on the atheists and humanists whom God has never charged with building up societies moral and spiritual foundation.

What we see in the letter of Ephesians is a call to Christians to understand the exceedingly great power of Christ far above the power of atheists and humanists or any other earthly power.

Now, in society, we see a backlash from the Christian right who are appalled with what's happening and who are reacting to the secularization in society and looking to get hold of civil power to set things straight. However, it is the secularization of the religious churches that are the biggest problem. Making politics the means to promote the gospel is tapping into the wrong power!!!! Most have forsaken their true source of power which alone can change society.
Paul and the other disciples made a huge change in their society, not by using political power, but by being empowered by the Holy Spirit, and setting before the people the life changing, transforming gospel of Christ.

Sadly, Christianity has been pretty intent on divorcing obedience from the gospel. The "under grace not under the law" has been twisted to mean grace releases one from obeying God's law (done mainly to get away from the Sabbath). Well, they removed the protective moral wall, not the wall of prejudice Paul was talking about, but the protective wall of God's commandments, and society happily (or miserably) plunged into lawlessness.

Christianity has denied the power of God that Paul is talking about, even though they still in their inner belief know the commandments are the standard for a moral society. So now they are working to increasingly plug into civil power.

But civil power does not change hearts. It uses force.
It is God's great and marvelous power we need that transforms lives, and as individual lives are transformed, society itself is transformed.

Ephesians 2:1-10 You He made alive who were dead in trespasses and sin?

There is a spiritual resurrection that is likened to a physical resurrection
This is what Jesus was referring to when He said ?you must be born again?.
Can a dead person resurrect himself ? No
When we were dead in our sins all we can do is cry out to God to give us spiritual life and raise us to newness of life. He has the power to do this. It takes as much power to raise us to spiritual life as it takes to raise a bunch of dead dry bones back to physical life. (Ezekiel 37)

God through the Holy Spirit raises people who in their helpless condition cry out to Him to spiritual life. It is a gift from God not by works. It is a transformation of the mind and heart that prepares us to do (not our own good works) but the good works God has prepared us to do. Our wills are submitted to His will and we walk and sit with Him in heavenly purposes actions and thought

New life in Christ. This is where we want to be. And God?s great grace and power enables us to be born again in the heavenly family. What a message of hope and wonder!!!

That resurrection to spiritual life is not the physical resurrection but it is the guarantee of that physical resurrection to come when Jesus comes in the clouds of heaven to take us home

THE MYSTERY OF THE GOSPEL

What is this mystery?

Ephesians 3:3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
3:4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
3:5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
3:6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
3:9 And to make all people see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world has been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
3:16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
3:18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what [is] the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
3:19 And to know the love of Christ,